WELCOME TO THE HOCKEY FACTORY!!

Grads Conditioning Camp - Aug. 22-23 - Ray Friel Arena

(positions are still available)

Grads Minor Hockey School - Aug. 17-21 - Ray Friel Arena

(Positions available in skills development division only)

Scroll down for information on all of our camps.

Congrats to Grads forward David Pacan who has committed to play at D-1 school, University of Vermont. David looks to hone his fine talents at the school that developed numerous NHLers including Martin St. Louis! The Grads are very proud of both David and the role our development program played in helping him attain the next level. One more example of the results from our hockey factory!

Congrats to Grads D-man Daniel Sauve (#9) who has won the CJHL scoring title this season for defenseman AND broken the all time Grads record for scoring by defenseman in a single season! Quick to jump into the rush, but still very responsible defensively, Daniel uses his elite skills game in, game out. And still only 19 years old! The pride of Orleans - Daniel still has one year of CJHL eligibility to build on his immense talent. Well done Daniel!

Congrats to John Griggs who has accepted an NCAA Division 1 scholarship from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. John hails from Chicago, IL, and came to theGrads from the Pembroke Lumber Kings. John played a valuable role for the Grads and we wish him all the best as he furthers his career.

CHECK OUT OUR GRAD'S GALLERY FOR ALL NEW PICS

GRADS NEWS

Grads pleased with 2009 CJHL Draft Selections

Once again the team's crackerjack scouting staff led by Head Scout, Bill Kerr walked away from the 2009 CJHL Entry Draft very pleased with their selections. Hard work by Bill and his team ensured that yet again the Grads will be competitive for years to come.

1st Round (#10) - Kevin Tansey (D - 1993) - Eastern Ontario Wild AAA

2nd Round (#22) - Ben Hartley (F - 1993) - Ottawa 67's AAA

3rd Round (#34) - Jeremie Gauthier (F - 1991) - Clarence Creek Junior 'B'

5th Round (#49) - Nikolas Van Essen (F - 1993) - Ottawa Valley Titans AAA

5th Round (#58) - Lino Dixon (F - 1992) - Upper Canada Cyclones AAA

6th Round (#70) - Drew Lawson (G - 1993) - Ottawa Sens AAA

7th Round (#82) - Patrick Cameron (F - 1991) - Nepean Raiders AA

8th Round (#86) - Eric Lepage (G - 1991) - Athens Aeros Junior B

8th Round (#94) - Neil Clarke (D - 1990) - Ottawa West Junior B

9th Round (#106) - Doug Trombley (D - 1993) - Ottawa 67's AAA

Congratulations to all of our draft selections and welcome to the hockey factory!

Billet families NEEDED for the Grads

With the strong national prominence that the Grads program is earning as a "hockey factory", we are now attracting greater and greater interest from players from outside the Ottawa area. Given the highly competitive nature of the CJHL; the Grads need the import players to build around our core group of locally developed players. This is where we need your help. The Grads have an urgent need for families with spare room in their homes to billet a player for the upcoming season. The players have strict rules to folow while staying with their billet familes and are generally either in school or at the rink - which is five days per week. As well, keep in mind that the Grads compensates the family on a weekly basis for billeting the player. Please call the hockey office at 613-835-4297 for further details.

Revamped Grads Minor Hockey School best ever! - 2009 DETAILS HERE!!

Thanks to the new Elite division, the 2008 edition of the Grads Minor Hockey School was the best ever held. As always, our top flight Junior A coaches put the kids through their paces, but new this year; with the addition of the elite division and an extra hour of ice each day; participants were pushed hard to improve both their skills as well as their fitness level. Current Grads players led the kids through a week of Junior A calibre drills allowing the players to feel what its like to be part of a real Junior A camp. Fun wasn't forgotten however as the "goal celebration" competition drew many laughs during the skills competition afternoon. Despite the sweat and hard work, the kids were unanimous in telling us - loudly - that they all want to be back next year. Keep that in mind as this camp will sell out even earlier this year now that it has the reputation as the best prepatory camp for tryouts in the east end. If you want a true development camp mixed with fun, look no further than the Grads Hockey Factory Skills Camp!! Dont delay - click here for a camp outline and click here to apply now!

Grads announce New Head Coach & General Manager

Steve Barban, President of the Cumberland Grads Junior A Hockey Club is pleased to announce the hiring of Paul Flindall as the team’s new Head Coach and General Manager effective immediately. With Paul’s strong athletic background both in the field of play as well as in the classroom, alongside five years of coaching at the Junior A level, he is well suited to maintaining the Grads high compete level. Born in Saskatoon, SK, Paul attended and graduated from Mayville State University (North Dakota) on an athletic scholarship. He followed up his undergraduate degree with a Masters in Sports Administration from Minnesota State University. Paul began his Junior A coaching career in the Nepean Raiders organization followed by two years as an Assistant Coach with the Cumberland Grads.

The Grads are very happy to have Paul in the dual role of Head Coach and General Manager, and look forward to him leading competitive teams for years to come. The Cumberland Grads are a member franchise in the heavily scouted Central Junior Hockey League playing their home games at the Navan Memorial Centre. For further information please contact the Grads office at sbarban@cumberlandgrads.com

Grads round out coaching staff

The Cumberland Grads are pleased to announce that they have added Dallas Ashford to their coaching staff. Dallas comes to the Grads after coaching the AAA Minor Midget 67's last year to a league championship season and berth in the OHL Cup. Prior to embarking on his coaching career Dallas played in both the OHL (Kitchener and Ottawa) as well as the OMJHL (Cape Breton). Given the dedication to his craft, we look forward to having Dallas on board and welcome him to the hockey factory.

The Grads earlier announced that they had added Justin Nistico to their coaching staff as an assistant coach alongside head coach Paul Flindall. As a former four year player in the CJHL as well as a coach in the CJHL for the last seven years, Justin is well positioned to bring valuable input to the Grads coaching staff. Justin was a 2nd round pick to the CJHL; an 11th round pick to the OHL and left the CJ as one of the top 15 all time point getters for the Jr. Sens.

A product of the Cumberland Barons (predecessor to the Jr. Grads) Minor Hockey Program, Justin is very excited to work with Paul and the rest of the staff - and can't wait to get started. Welcome to Grads country Justin!

Grads Clean up at Year End Awards!!

Jeffrey Clarke - 1st Team All Star & All Graduating (88) Team

Marc-Andre Labelle - 2nd Team All Star

Adam Laderoute - 2nd Team All Star

Daniel Sauve - 3rd Team All Star

Chris Murphy - All Scholastic Team

Michael Borkowski - All Rookie (92) Team

David Pacan - All Prospects (91) Team

Mark Grady - Coach of the Year

PROFIT Magazine profiles Grads Owner

The Cumberland Grads get some national media attention off the ice, as PROFIT Magazine delves into Grad's owner, Steve Barban's motivation to buy the team as well as his experiences with the club thus far in this recent article.

Does your minor hockey team or school need to raise money?

Need funds for the 2009-10 season? We can help by offering your minor hockey/ringette team (or school) discounted Grads game tickets, which you be resold for up to $7 per ticket over your purchase price! Sell only 50 tickets and make an easy $350 for your team or school!! Call now for 2009-10 details before we already commit the games to other teams.

Alumni Grads in the NHL this past season!

Three former Grads played in the NHL in 2008-09 while many others progressing along the professional hockey ladder. Claude Giroux (Philadelphia) led the Flyers in playoff scoring while veteran NHLer's , Matt Bradley (Washington) and Stephane Yelle (Boston) played valuable roles in their respective teams' playoff runs. It's all about development and winning - something our program clearly demonstrates!

Want to play at the Hockey Factory?

Grads players are heavily scouted by the NCAA, OHL, QMJHL, CIS and NHL.

Want to be noticed by scouts in an elite hockey program? Here's proof why we're known as the HOCKEY FACTORY! Check this out! Interested in playing at the hockey factory - send us an email.

Grads announce Hockey Factory Conditioning Camp Dates

The Cumberland Grads announce the dates for the 2009 Hockey Factory Conditioning Camp - August 22nd-23rd. This camp is open to all those players (birth year 1989-1994) from the eastern Ontario area looking to earn a spot on our 2009-10 roster. It is also open to imports who were unable to attend our June import camp. Scouts from both Junior B and Junior C leagues will also be in attendance. This is your chance to show us your skills, as well as to see how you stack up against Junior "A' competition. The camp format will consist of practice sessions as well as intra-squad games. As in past years, this camp will sell out - so don't delay. Click here for more information.

Book your Gradzone Birthday Party!

Bookings are now being accepted for Sunday afternoon birthday parties at the "Gradzone" - the Grads very own private, climate controlled viewing box for our games. For only $10 per child, receive a ticket to the game, a popcorn and slushie, a Grads souveneir puck as well as a birthday greeting during the game. We can also supply the hotdogs if need be. Bookings have been brisk - book your hockey lover's party today!

Grads Merchandise Now Online

The Grads offer an exciting and complete line of official logo-ed merchandise. Show your team colours and support the team. See what's available in the Grads Gear section and order today - supplies are limited!

Mini Grads for IP teams

What can be more exciting for an IP player than to play a mini game between periods at one of our games. The Grads can accomodate you at one of our Sunday afternoon home games. Bring the whole family...watch your child play and be treated to exciting Junior A hockey as a bonus! Please call for further details.

Become part of the team - Volunteer with the Grads - We NEED you!!

The Cumberland Grads are in need for more great staff to help run our hockey games. If interested, please contact us for more information. Currently our volunteers come from all areas of the community. They are students, retirees and young and old hockey players - the only common theme being a love for high level hockey. The Grads welcome all volunteers, there is no minimum game commitment, or requirements. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, obtain volunteer hours for high school, and be on the inside of a great Junior A organization. Current opportunities exist for goal judges, ticket sellers, music and video for the games, equipment assistance as well as PA announcing. No experience required - we'll train you. Call today!

AAA Jr. Grads complete successful spring season three

Congratulations to the players on the 2009 edition of the AAA Jr. Grads who just finished another successful season of competitive AAA spring hockey. These 17 young athletes were able to develop and compete against the top players in the area in the always competitive AAA spring loop. The boys finished tied for third place out of nine teams in their final tourney only to miss the playoff round by the dreaded GF/GA differential. Still a great finish to a great season. Here's to another great season for our 1997 boys.

If you're currently a competitive level coach and want to coach a team under the the AAA Grads banner for the 2010 spring season with kids of birth years of between 1998-2002, please contact our office prior to October 31, 2009.